When discussing the world’s fastest runners, the first name that comes to mind is Usain Bolt. Dominating sprinting for years, he has set records that remain unbroken. While the average human running speed is around 19 mph, elite male sprinters push their limits to reach speeds of up to 27 mph.

Here, we take a look at the top 10 fastest runners in the world:

1. Usain Bolt (9.58 seconds – 100m)

World champion in 2009, Usain Bolt set the standard for the 100m world record by completing the distance in 9.58 seconds. He has also set a record for the 200m at 19.19 seconds. In his career, he has won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay events.

2. Tyson Gay (9.69 seconds – 100m)

American sprinter Tyson Gay is statistically the second-fastest man alive, having clocked 9.69 seconds in the 100m sprint. Another highlight of his successful 19.58-second run in the 200m, which has positioned him among the fastest men in the history of that distance.

3. Yohan Blake (9.69 seconds – 100m)

In addition to sharing the 9.69-second record with Tyson Gay, Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake became the youngest athlete to run a 100-meter race in under 10 seconds at just 19 years old.

4. Asafa Powell (9.72 seconds – 100m)

Asafa Powell was considered the fastest runner in the world before the Usain Bolt era came upon the scene. He held the 100m world record from 2005 to 2008 when he clocked 9.72 seconds in September 2008.

5. Justin Gatlin (9.74 seconds – 100m)

Justin Gatlin, an American sprinter, completed the 100m run in 9.74 seconds. Although his career started under a cloud for two doping violations, he had a superb comeback and even won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

6. Christian Coleman (9.76 seconds – 100m)

Christian Coleman is one of the most promising sprinters in recent years. He won gold at the 2019 World Championships in the 100m event, finishing in 9.76 seconds.

7. Nesta Carter (9.78 seconds – 100m)

Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter set his personal best of 9.78 seconds in 2010. He was a crucial member of Jamaica’s 4×100m relay team, winning gold at the 2012 Olympics.

8. Maurice Greene (9.79 seconds – 100m)

During his prime, Maurice Greene was considered the fastest man in the world. He set a 100m record of 9.79 seconds and won five Olympic medals, including a gold in the 100m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

9. Steve Mullings (9.80 seconds – 100m)

Jamaican sprinter Steve Mullings recorded a 9.80-second finish in the 100m sprint. He won a gold medal in the 4×100m relay at the 2009 World Championships.

10. Richard Thompson (9.82 seconds – 100m)

Nicknamed “Torpedo”, Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago finished the 100m in 9.82 seconds. He gained worldwide recognition in 2008, securing a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics 100m final behind Usain Bolt.

FAQs

Who is the fastest runner in the world?
Usain Bolt holds the title of the world’s fastest runner, with a 100m record of 9.58 seconds.

Who is the second-fastest runner in the world?
Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake share the title of the second-fastest runners, both clocking 9.69 seconds in the 100m race.

Who is the best sprinter of all time?
Usain Bolt is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter in history, having won multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medals and setting unbroken records.